New York City Soda Ban to Extend to All of New York State?

New York City's ban on sugary soft drinks larger than 16 ounces begins March 12.  Now Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants New York State to do the same thing.

The ban affects sales of soft drinks sold in restaurants, not in grocery stores.  Bloomberg explains the city regulates restaurants, and the state regulates grocery stores. That's why he wants the state to adopt the ban as well.  Bloomberg says it will save lives.

Aren't you sick and tired of the government telling us what we can and can't do?  From taking away the right to possess certain guns to the size of a soft drink you can buy, these are quality of life issues.  There are just way too many rules and regulations.

How about politicians concerning themselves with improving the economy, creating jobs, rebuilding the infrastructure, making more efficient use of government services and employees?  It seems politicians get way too involved in minutiae and personal agendas while overlooking the obvious issues and placing them on the back burner.

So often we're told banning large size sugary soft drinks will save lives.  If New York State officials were really concerned about saving lives -- ban smoking.  Make it illegal to buy or smoke cigarettes.  Far fetched, sure.  But little by little our freedoms are being taken away, and who knows -- someday it could come to that too.